CLUNK Recommends – Basht. – Perfume

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‘Perfume’ hums with hostility and broaches on the unspoken, private and Catholicism in Ireland,  with wicked guitars and hypnotic vocals. 

‘Perfume’ broods and bubbles with the impatience of magma on the cusp of eruption, successfully detailing its heavy subject matter – the Catholic Church and the influence it has had on Ireland and its turbulent history. 

Dublin’s, alt-rock band, Basht. have been on the rise for the past couple of years and fall in step with bands such as Bleech 9:3, DEADLETTER and the Gurriers. A raw and authentic indie/rock sound that echoes of punk and grunge by pulling on all the best genre tropes – careening guitars, a DIY feel, and a frenetic fervour that satisfies.

The song is about the Catholic Church, specifically, its influence and the white knuckle grip it has had on the country for the past centuries. The simple melody, masterful lyrics, close vocal take, all aid in selling the band’s point and passion – the allure of religion and how it has a perfume to it, attractive at the fore but darkly complex at its core.

Like all great singles, the start is atmospheric and hypnotises you in so you buy in to it and start to feel the subject matter deep down in your gut . By the end the song, it expands and gains space through the heavily distorted guitars that have a wild west twang to them, developing a hostile feel. Like a stand off –  reality against religion, art against institutions. 

I really imagine ‘Perfume’ being played at a big venue, lights strobing and colliding, whilst a crowd relates to topic the song speaks, really connecting and feeling the rage that bubbles underneath the words and music.

A stand out for me on this track is the tone of the drums, warm, wide and fuzzy, but playing loud and alongside distorted guitars. Like the band as a whole, they stick to what they know but are venturing out and touching on big subjects and creating singles that tease an exciting album in the works. Right up my street is ‘Perfume’ by Basht., just like other singles such as ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘Stockholm’, they are the type of songs you can listening to again and again, and find new meanings by them touching new emotions with each fresh listen. 

Listen to ‘Perfume’ here:

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Catch Basht. at the following:

May 02 – Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool, UK
May 22 – Mi Ami Festival, Milan, IT
May 23 – NBHD Weekender, Warrington, UK
May 24 – Bearded Theory Derbyshire, UK
May 27 – Les Etoiles Paris, FR
May 28 – Ekko Utrecht, NL – SOLD OUT
May 29 – Vestrock Festival Hulst, NL
May 29 – Dauwpop Hellendoorn, NL
Jun 20 – TRNSMT, UK
Jul 02 – Rock Werchter, BE
Aug 09 – Boardmasters Festival Newquay, UK
Aug 29 – Rock N Roll Circus, Sheffield, UK
Aug 30 – Leeds Festival, Leeds, UK
Sep 05 – Zero Four Three Festival Maastrich, NE

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